Quilted pattern input digitizing frame
AssigneeABM International, Inc.
InventorNeal A Schwarzberger
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A digitizer is operably coupled to a quilting machine controller, wherein an operator can input free hand or traced patterns for regulating operation of a sewing head. The digitizer can be an X-Y encoder wherein the encoder includes a transparent or translucent sensing zone which provides for the operator to input a pattern while simultaneously viewing a portion of a textile, which can itself include a pattern.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- (a) a quilting machine having a workpiece retention area and a sewing head moveable relative to the workpiece retention area, the sewing head configured to form a plurality of stitches;
- (b) a controller controlling movement of the sewing head relative to the workpiece retention area;
- (c) an encoder carriage, the encoder carriage moveable over the workpiece retention area, the encoder carriage having a sensing zone, the encoder carriage operably connected to the controller to transmit a position of the encoder carriage, and wherein the encoder carriage comprises an articulated arm moveable over the workpiece retention area;
- and
- (d) a display operably coupled to the controller for displaying a pattern created in the encoder carriage sensing zone.
A method comprising:
- (a) locating a sensing zone of an encoder carriage within a workpiece retention area retained on a support frame of a quilting machine having a sewing head;
- (b) creating a pattern within the sensing zone of the encoder carriage relative to the workpiece retention area;
- (c) transmitting an output of the encoder carriage to a controller operably connected to the encoder carriage and the quilting machine, and wherein the encoder carriage comprises an articulated arm moveable over the workpiece retention area;
- and
- (d) displaying the created pattern on a display associated with the quilting machine.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium tangibly comprising computer program instructions which when executed on a processor of an apparatus causes the apparatus to at least:
- (a) locate a sensing zone of an encoder carriage within a workpiece retention area retained on a support frame of a quilting machine having a sewing head;
- (b) create a pattern within the sensing zone of the encoder carriage relative to the workpiece retention area;
- (c) transmit an output of the encoder carriage to a controller operably connected to the encoder carriage and the quilting machine, wherein the encoder carriage comprises an articulated arm moveable over the workpiece retention area;
- and
- (d) display the pattern on a display associated with the quilting machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.